Forestry sector still not fully compliant with new standards
Kaieteur News, 3 January 2007
During 2007, the Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, during several
consultations, had warned stakeholders in the forestry sector to shape
up and comply with new guidelines or face penalties.
Kaieteur News understands that the Forest Producers' Association (FPA)
still has some reservations about certain of the new guidelines,
including the proposed moisture content for certain species of wood.
Singh had told stakeholders during the educational consultation
sessions that the new guidelines were aimed at raising the standards of
the industry.
He had warned the stakeholders that if the industry was not compliant
by 2008, then the GFC would be compelled by law to ensure that it is
done.According to Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who addressed
one of the consultation sessions, “Too many times, there have been
reports of non conformity.”
Some of the present shortcomings in the industry that the new
guidelines intend to reverse include the use of primordial sawmilling
machinery with very few spare parts available, resulting in a
significant wastage.
A high percentage of sawn timber produced for the local market is done
in a manner that actually sees the production of few standard sizes
with little timber precision trimmed. As a result, the percentage of
wastage is extremely high in Guyana .
Currently, there are few industrial plants of a reasonable scale or
size.
Mandatory
for 2008
The GFC has mandated all relevant stakeholders in the industry to
ensure that, by this month, all lumber must be sawn with care so as to
obtain the nominal sizes when the moisture content is 20 per cent.
Sawing must be regular for each dimension, over the whole of the piece,
and edges must be parallel and perpendicular to the faces.
From this year, the GFC will give preference to the licensing of
sawmills and processing facilities utilising band saw technology this
is to encourage the automisation of local facilities. Further, sawmills
and sawpits must achieve a set out recovery rate in order to retain
their license, or for new facilities to be licensed
This year, too, there will be a mandatory recovery rate of 50 percent.
The following year it will be increased ten percent, and 2010 will see
a recovery rate of 70 per cent being mandatory.
In 2011 the mandatory recovery rate will jump 15 per cent to 75 per
cent.
As a result of the stipulated recovery rates, chainsaw operations would
only be permitted to process lumber above four inches in thickness. The
commissioner also informed the stakeholders that from 2008 the ends of
all sawn lumber must be waxed or sealed with an appropriate sealant so
as to prevent splitting and end checking from occurring, and all wood
must be stacked under cover as quickly as possible after coming off the
saw.
The storage area must have a hard surface, be well drained, stable, and
free from sawdust and any other wooden debris.
The date of stacking must be marked on each stack of lumber so as to
allow for adequate drying time.
Drying will be compulsory by all sawmills, be it automated or air
drying.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Canje man fined over protected-birds smuggling
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56536158
Canje man fined over protected-birds smuggling
SN, Thursday, January 3rd 2008
Reepdewan Gupta Sukhram in court yesterday.
Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle fined a US-based man $10,000 after he
admitted that he was trying to export 30 protected birds in his hand
luggage as he prepared to board a flight at the airport.
Reepdewan Gupta Sukhram, 44, of North Carolina, USA and Betsy Ground,
East Canje, Berbice, pleaded guilty to the charge of exporting species
of birds requiring protection when it was read to him in the Georgetown
Magistrate's Court yesterday. In handing down the fine, the magistrate
also told Sukhram that he will be disqualified from obtaining a licence
for export for one year.
According to the facts of the case Sukhram, on Decem-ber 31, at the
Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri was exporting 28 Towa Towa
birds and two Twa Twa birds without obtaining a permit or a certificate
from the management authority.
Around 8.30 am police from the narcotics branch searched Sukhram, who
was an outgoing passenger on a North American Airlines flight, when the
birds were found in boxes and plastic containers in his luggage. He was
told of the offence being committed, arrested and later charged.
Sukhram said he is the manager of a sewing factory which makes police,
nurse and fire-fighters uniforms. He said 15 minutes before boarding
his flight he gave the birds tranquilizers so that they would not make
any noise. He said they were discovered when police checked his bag
shortly after it had been scanned. Sukhram acknowledged that his
wrongdoing, adding that, "This is the first time that I am doing this."
When the magistrate asked Sukhram why he had all those birds, he told
the court that he is a bird lover and he has a huge cage in his garage
with seventy-five kinds of birds from all over the world. The only
birds he didn't have, he said, are those from Guyana. "I bought them at
$2,500 a piece. They are wild birds from up the Berbice River," Sukhram
added.
Matthews later said that the birds will have to remain in the custody
of the State because Sukhram did not have a licence to keep them.
However, Suhkram's attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat said the birds could be
returned to his client as he spent a lot of money for them. He said the
man is only prohibited from leaving the country with them and it would
be unfair not to return them to him, especially since one had died. He
said the police do not have a proper facility to accommodate the birds.
The court also heard that the wildlife authority had provided a cage
for the birds and at the end of the matter, they could be given to the
zoo or they can be set free.
At the end of the arguments, the court said that the section of the Act
that deals with enforcement states that the court can order that the
birds be confiscated to the State.
Canje man fined over protected-birds smuggling
SN, Thursday, January 3rd 2008
Reepdewan Gupta Sukhram in court yesterday.
Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle fined a US-based man $10,000 after he
admitted that he was trying to export 30 protected birds in his hand
luggage as he prepared to board a flight at the airport.
Reepdewan Gupta Sukhram, 44, of North Carolina, USA and Betsy Ground,
East Canje, Berbice, pleaded guilty to the charge of exporting species
of birds requiring protection when it was read to him in the Georgetown
Magistrate's Court yesterday. In handing down the fine, the magistrate
also told Sukhram that he will be disqualified from obtaining a licence
for export for one year.
According to the facts of the case Sukhram, on Decem-ber 31, at the
Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri was exporting 28 Towa Towa
birds and two Twa Twa birds without obtaining a permit or a certificate
from the management authority.
Around 8.30 am police from the narcotics branch searched Sukhram, who
was an outgoing passenger on a North American Airlines flight, when the
birds were found in boxes and plastic containers in his luggage. He was
told of the offence being committed, arrested and later charged.
Sukhram said he is the manager of a sewing factory which makes police,
nurse and fire-fighters uniforms. He said 15 minutes before boarding
his flight he gave the birds tranquilizers so that they would not make
any noise. He said they were discovered when police checked his bag
shortly after it had been scanned. Sukhram acknowledged that his
wrongdoing, adding that, "This is the first time that I am doing this."
When the magistrate asked Sukhram why he had all those birds, he told
the court that he is a bird lover and he has a huge cage in his garage
with seventy-five kinds of birds from all over the world. The only
birds he didn't have, he said, are those from Guyana. "I bought them at
$2,500 a piece. They are wild birds from up the Berbice River," Sukhram
added.
Matthews later said that the birds will have to remain in the custody
of the State because Sukhram did not have a licence to keep them.
However, Suhkram's attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat said the birds could be
returned to his client as he spent a lot of money for them. He said the
man is only prohibited from leaving the country with them and it would
be unfair not to return them to him, especially since one had died. He
said the police do not have a proper facility to accommodate the birds.
The court also heard that the wildlife authority had provided a cage
for the birds and at the end of the matter, they could be given to the
zoo or they can be set free.
At the end of the arguments, the court said that the section of the Act
that deals with enforcement states that the court can order that the
birds be confiscated to the State.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Money laundering: Myths and fallacies about making dirty money clean
Guyana and the wider world
Money laundering: Myths and fallacies about making dirty money clean
By Dr. Clive thomas
SN, Sunday, December 23rd 2007
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56535635
Last week's column intimated that at least three items we have been
discussing for some time now, are directly related to the significant
roles played by two of the World Economic Forum's "problematic
factors," namely, "crime and theft" and "corruption" in the poor
results obtained by Guyana in the 2007-2008 Global Competitiveness
Report. These are 1) the extensive role of the underground economy 2)
the significant role of organized crime in it (phantom economy) and 3)
the scale, scope, and impact of money laundering on the economy and
wider society. In earlier columns I have already dealt at length with
the first two items. Today I take up the issue of "money laundering."
Definition
Let me begin with a strong word of caution. When considering money
laundering one must be very clear on what is fact and what is fallacy.
The first fallacy to note is that money laundering is not, as is
commonly believed, the exclusive domain of organized crime. In fact it
is the domain of all types of crime, organized or unorganized. Whenever
the proceeds of activities that generate gains are not reported and/or
occur outside of legal formal markets, money laundering is the
inevitable consequence. To take a case in point, all individuals,
firms, business organizations and other enterprises, that seek to evade
taxes, can only successfully do so if they hide and do not report and
then subsequently launder the wealth or income they obtain. The
definition of money laundering below highlights this. It is taken from
the Lectric Law Lexicon, which is based on US legal provisions:
"Conduct/Acts designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the
nature, location, source, ownership or control of money (currency or
its equivalents [cheques, electronic transfers]) to avoid a transaction
reporting requirement under state or federal law or to disguise the
fact that the money was acquired by illegal means."
The second fallacy is that the "money" referred to in the term, money
laundering, refers to cash and bank deposits (the traditional
definition of "broad" money). In fact other financial instruments (for
example, electronic transfers) as well as commodities (gold, other
precious metals, high-valued artefacts) are used as means of money
laundering. To limit money laundering only to cash and bank deposit
transactions would be incorrect.
A third fallacy lies in failing to recognise that money laundering is
directly linked to the operations of the entire underground economy,
which as we know refers to all economic transactions that take place
outside of formal and legal markets. As we saw in our earlier analysis
of Guyana, organized crime, while a substantial part of the underground
economy, is not the whole of it. Criminal activity not linked to
organized crime also takes place in the underground economy. Here
individuals, organisations and business units with proceeds from all
types of criminal activities, (for example, fraud, tax evasion, and
ordinary theft) also contribute to money laundering in the underground
economy as their proceeds and ill-gotten gains must be laundered, if
they are not reported.
'Victimless crime!'
Fourth, where there is money laundering the underlying activities that
initiate it are always criminal wrongdoings. However, because of its
nature and operation analysts believe many persons perceive money
laundering as a 'victimless crime.' That is, unlike an ordinary theft
or a fraud perpetrated against a person or organization the victim is
not immediately apparent. Yet, as we shall see, all law-abiding
citizens, the government, and the society as a whole 'pay' for these
criminal wrongdoings.
Have no doubt about it, we hurt ourselves and our country when we go
soft on money laundering. Indeed, many persons feel that in Guyana we
facilitate money laundering both actively (by not passing and enforcing
appropriate legislation) and passively (by turning a blind eye to its
existence).
A fifth fallacy is that money laundering takes place only through
banks, which as we know are the principal institutions dealing with
money. It occurs, however, through all types of financial institutions
and their assets. The truth is that if money laundering is confined
solely to banks, financial intelligence operatives can reconstitute the
source of the funds by deconstructing the deposit-withdrawal-conversion
trail through bank records.
This, however, does not deny that money laundering, in seeking to
'legitimize' the proceeds of criminal wrongdoings, sees legitimate
banks as prime targets.
Process
A sixth fallacy is to interpret money laundering as a single event or
episode. It is usually a very intricate and complex process. Thus,
according to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) set up by the G-7
countries in 1989 to lead global counter-measures against money
laundering, money laundering takes place in three main stages.
The first of these is when means are found to place funds obtained
illegally into the financial system. There are innumerable ways in
which this has been done over the years. Business activities that
handle a lot of cash make this relatively easy, for example, retail,
entertainment shows and casinos. This stage is called 'placement.'
After the funds have been 'placed' into the financial system, the
second stage seeks to engage in a series of worldwide transfers and
conversions to hide the original source of the funds. This part of the
process is called 'layering.' The third and final stage is to secure
the funds in the legitimate economy after placement and layering.
This is done through established and reputable financial institutions.
This stage of the process is called 'integration.' From this point the
funds can then successfully be invested legitimately in such items as
financial assets, real estate or business ventures (retail, forestry,
mining and so on).
Next week I shall continue to discuss other aspects of money laundering.
Money laundering: Myths and fallacies about making dirty money clean
By Dr. Clive thomas
SN, Sunday, December 23rd 2007
http://www.stabroeknews.com
Last week's column intimated that at least three items we have been
discussing for some time now, are directly related to the significant
roles played by two of the World Economic Forum's "problematic
factors," namely, "crime and theft" and "corruption" in the poor
results obtained by Guyana in the 2007-2008 Global Competitiveness
Report. These are 1) the extensive role of the underground economy 2)
the significant role of organized crime in it (phantom economy) and 3)
the scale, scope, and impact of money laundering on the economy and
wider society. In earlier columns I have already dealt at length with
the first two items. Today I take up the issue of "money laundering."
Definition
Let me begin with a strong word of caution. When considering money
laundering one must be very clear on what is fact and what is fallacy.
The first fallacy to note is that money laundering is not, as is
commonly believed, the exclusive domain of organized crime. In fact it
is the domain of all types of crime, organized or unorganized. Whenever
the proceeds of activities that generate gains are not reported and/or
occur outside of legal formal markets, money laundering is the
inevitable consequence. To take a case in point, all individuals,
firms, business organizations and other enterprises, that seek to evade
taxes, can only successfully do so if they hide and do not report and
then subsequently launder the wealth or income they obtain. The
definition of money laundering below highlights this. It is taken from
the Lectric Law Lexicon, which is based on US legal provisions:
"Conduct/Acts designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the
nature, location, source, ownership or control of money (currency or
its equivalents [cheques, electronic transfers]) to avoid a transaction
reporting requirement under state or federal law or to disguise the
fact that the money was acquired by illegal means."
The second fallacy is that the "money" referred to in the term, money
laundering, refers to cash and bank deposits (the traditional
definition of "broad" money). In fact other financial instruments (for
example, electronic transfers) as well as commodities (gold, other
precious metals, high-valued artefacts) are used as means of money
laundering. To limit money laundering only to cash and bank deposit
transactions would be incorrect.
A third fallacy lies in failing to recognise that money laundering is
directly linked to the operations of the entire underground economy,
which as we know refers to all economic transactions that take place
outside of formal and legal markets. As we saw in our earlier analysis
of Guyana, organized crime, while a substantial part of the underground
economy, is not the whole of it. Criminal activity not linked to
organized crime also takes place in the underground economy. Here
individuals, organisations and business units with proceeds from all
types of criminal activities, (for example, fraud, tax evasion, and
ordinary theft) also contribute to money laundering in the underground
economy as their proceeds and ill-gotten gains must be laundered, if
they are not reported.
'Victimless crime!'
Fourth, where there is money laundering the underlying activities that
initiate it are always criminal wrongdoings. However, because of its
nature and operation analysts believe many persons perceive money
laundering as a 'victimless crime.' That is, unlike an ordinary theft
or a fraud perpetrated against a person or organization the victim is
not immediately apparent. Yet, as we shall see, all law-abiding
citizens, the government, and the society as a whole 'pay' for these
criminal wrongdoings.
Have no doubt about it, we hurt ourselves and our country when we go
soft on money laundering. Indeed, many persons feel that in Guyana we
facilitate money laundering both actively (by not passing and enforcing
appropriate legislation) and passively (by turning a blind eye to its
existence).
A fifth fallacy is that money laundering takes place only through
banks, which as we know are the principal institutions dealing with
money. It occurs, however, through all types of financial institutions
and their assets. The truth is that if money laundering is confined
solely to banks, financial intelligence operatives can reconstitute the
source of the funds by deconstructing the deposit-withdrawal-conversion
trail through bank records.
This, however, does not deny that money laundering, in seeking to
'legitimize' the proceeds of criminal wrongdoings, sees legitimate
banks as prime targets.
Process
A sixth fallacy is to interpret money laundering as a single event or
episode. It is usually a very intricate and complex process. Thus,
according to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) set up by the G-7
countries in 1989 to lead global counter-measures against money
laundering, money laundering takes place in three main stages.
The first of these is when means are found to place funds obtained
illegally into the financial system. There are innumerable ways in
which this has been done over the years. Business activities that
handle a lot of cash make this relatively easy, for example, retail,
entertainment shows and casinos. This stage is called 'placement.'
After the funds have been 'placed' into the financial system, the
second stage seeks to engage in a series of worldwide transfers and
conversions to hide the original source of the funds. This part of the
process is called 'layering.' The third and final stage is to secure
the funds in the legitimate economy after placement and layering.
This is done through established and reputable financial institutions.
This stage of the process is called 'integration.' From this point the
funds can then successfully be invested legitimately in such items as
financial assets, real estate or business ventures (retail, forestry,
mining and so on).
Next week I shall continue to discuss other aspects of money laundering.
GFC integrating bar-coding with its monitoring methods
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56536061
GFC integrating bar-coding with its monitoring methods
SN, Monday, December 31st 2007
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) says it is implementing the Remote
Sensing and Bar-Coding system into its existing log tracking programme
in its promotion of sustainable forestry development.
The GFC project is funded by the International Tropical Timber
Organization (ITTO) at a cost of more than $100M, a press release from
the Government Information Agency said.
It uses modern tracking devices to combat illegal logging activities.
The GFC said this monitoring technique is being used in many South
American countries including neighbouring Brazil.
The project was approved by the ITTO earlier this year and, according
to GFC Head of the Planning and Development Division, Pradeepa
Bholanauth, it began last September with efforts to recruit the three
main consultants necessary for its implementation. Posts were
advertised for specialists in areas of Chain of Custody; Networking and
Bar Coding; and Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System and
applicants are currently being reviewed.
It is expected that once these positions are filled, the project will
move into the next phase which includes conducting remote sensing
imagery and geographic assessments of the current log tracking system
to integrate the Bar-Coding technology. This is expected to take place
in early January after which the Chain of Custody Specialist will be
required to formulate procedures to ensure strategic implementation of
the bar-coding system. This step will allow the GFC to better monitor
production of logs and other timber products extracted from a
particular location and make it easier to track the volume/quantity of
products harvested.
The GFC said the Bar-Coding System is part of its efforts to modernise
its monitoring capacity since it will feed into a central database
linked to a national wide-area network. This will allow for real-time
transfer of data and the availability of tracking information for the
regulatory agency and operators in the private sector. The project will
make detection of illegal logging and other non-compliant activities
easier both in transit and at point of sale, by scanning bar code
labels on log tags to determine if the tag being used is valid,
date/time last checked.
Similar checks will be done in the forest at tree stumps. Under the
system, raw materials and stumps are identified using a plastic barcode
tag that is attached immediately after logging or when being split into
pieces at timber collection points. These tags are scanned at the GFC's
check points to determine whether the produce is legal. The logs that
have been converted are transported to manufacturing plants where the
number and description are recorded on timber certificates and removal
licences. When the logs are collected at the manufacturing plants and
at timber yards the data is recorded. This recording is done in batches
per supplier, as these entities purchase materials from several
suppliers in multiple species and volumes. They can, however, be traced
by log tag numbers and bar codes to the source of origin in the forest.
Scanning and reconciliation will also be enabled at lumber yards,
sawmills and timber manufacturing operations.
The GFC said this initiative will enhance the work of its Forest
Monitoring Division which scrutinizes 22 forest stations located at
strategic points throughout Guyana. These include stations at Canje,
Springlands, Bamboo Landing, Kwakwani, Soesdyke, Linden and Bartica.
GFC integrating bar-coding with its monitoring methods
SN, Monday, December 31st 2007
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) says it is implementing the Remote
Sensing and Bar-Coding system into its existing log tracking programme
in its promotion of sustainable forestry development.
The GFC project is funded by the International Tropical Timber
Organization (ITTO) at a cost of more than $100M, a press release from
the Government Information Agency said.
It uses modern tracking devices to combat illegal logging activities.
The GFC said this monitoring technique is being used in many South
American countries including neighbouring Brazil.
The project was approved by the ITTO earlier this year and, according
to GFC Head of the Planning and Development Division, Pradeepa
Bholanauth, it began last September with efforts to recruit the three
main consultants necessary for its implementation. Posts were
advertised for specialists in areas of Chain of Custody; Networking and
Bar Coding; and Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System and
applicants are currently being reviewed.
It is expected that once these positions are filled, the project will
move into the next phase which includes conducting remote sensing
imagery and geographic assessments of the current log tracking system
to integrate the Bar-Coding technology. This is expected to take place
in early January after which the Chain of Custody Specialist will be
required to formulate procedures to ensure strategic implementation of
the bar-coding system. This step will allow the GFC to better monitor
production of logs and other timber products extracted from a
particular location and make it easier to track the volume/quantity of
products harvested.
The GFC said the Bar-Coding System is part of its efforts to modernise
its monitoring capacity since it will feed into a central database
linked to a national wide-area network. This will allow for real-time
transfer of data and the availability of tracking information for the
regulatory agency and operators in the private sector. The project will
make detection of illegal logging and other non-compliant activities
easier both in transit and at point of sale, by scanning bar code
labels on log tags to determine if the tag being used is valid,
date/time last checked.
Similar checks will be done in the forest at tree stumps. Under the
system, raw materials and stumps are identified using a plastic barcode
tag that is attached immediately after logging or when being split into
pieces at timber collection points. These tags are scanned at the GFC's
check points to determine whether the produce is legal. The logs that
have been converted are transported to manufacturing plants where the
number and description are recorded on timber certificates and removal
licences. When the logs are collected at the manufacturing plants and
at timber yards the data is recorded. This recording is done in batches
per supplier, as these entities purchase materials from several
suppliers in multiple species and volumes. They can, however, be traced
by log tag numbers and bar codes to the source of origin in the forest.
Scanning and reconciliation will also be enabled at lumber yards,
sawmills and timber manufacturing operations.
The GFC said this initiative will enhance the work of its Forest
Monitoring Division which scrutinizes 22 forest stations located at
strategic points throughout Guyana. These include stations at Canje,
Springlands, Bamboo Landing, Kwakwani, Soesdyke, Linden and Bartica.
Amerindian Affairs Ministry achieved its mandate for 2007 -Minister Rodrigues
Amerindian Affairs Ministry achieved its mandate for 2007
-Minister Rodrigues
Guyana Chronicle, 30 December 2007
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, during the year, has made
significant contributions to the development of Amerindians
countrywide.
Yesterday Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, told the
media that the Ministry has achieved its 2007 mandate through building
the capacity of Amerindian leaders and further developing their
communities.
Minister Rodrigues said that one of the most important achievements was
the National Toshaos’ Conference on October 22 to 26, under the theme
‘Building Capacity for Good Governance’ and hosted by the Ministry at
the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
She noted that the nomination of the three members to the Indigenous
People’s Commission (IPC) is a significant achievement for
Amerindians. The IPC will address all aspects of Amerindian
development.
“We are hoping that it will come into being in the near future. In fact
the Parliamentary Committee of Appointment is looking at it at the
moment and it will be completed in the near future”, Minister Rodrigues
said.
To further enhance the development of Amerindian communities, 20
Toshaos were unanimously elected to the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC)
by their fellow Toshaos.
The NTC will serve in various capacities to represent and ensure all
Amerindians communities are further developed.
The Council has already met once since its formation and has begun
working on its 2008 programme.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister said 111 Toshaos were sworn-in as
Justices of the Peace and Rural Constables, another success for the
Ministry. These Toshaos are mandated with the responsibility of
protecting the interest of Amerindians in the country and will give
support to the Council.
“We have also had the formulation of the draft rules at the meeting and
the Toshaos have started to look at the ones that are applicable to
their communities”, Minister Rodrigues noted.
The Ministry was also able to make significant progress in the issuance
of birth certificates for the year, a collaborative effort between the
Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Home Affairs.
It was noted that this process has become much more important now since
house-to-house registration will be taking place shortly. However,
there are some persons who did not register in Regions One, Seven,
Eight and Nine. There will be another round of the registration
process in the communities by the Community Development Officers (CDOs)
so that persons can receive their birth certificates.
Minister Rodrigues noted that more than 13, 000 birth certificates were
issued for the past two to three years despite the challenges faced.
-Minister Rodrigues
Guyana Chronicle, 30 December 2007
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, during the year, has made
significant contributions to the development of Amerindians
countrywide.
Yesterday Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, told the
media that the Ministry has achieved its 2007 mandate through building
the capacity of Amerindian leaders and further developing their
communities.
Minister Rodrigues said that one of the most important achievements was
the National Toshaos’ Conference on October 22 to 26, under the theme
‘Building Capacity for Good Governance’ and hosted by the Ministry at
the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
She noted that the nomination of the three members to the Indigenous
People’s Commission (IPC) is a significant achievement for
Amerindians. The IPC will address all aspects of Amerindian
development.
“We are hoping that it will come into being in the near future. In fact
the Parliamentary Committee of Appointment is looking at it at the
moment and it will be completed in the near future”, Minister Rodrigues
said.
To further enhance the development of Amerindian communities, 20
Toshaos were unanimously elected to the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC)
by their fellow Toshaos.
The NTC will serve in various capacities to represent and ensure all
Amerindians communities are further developed.
The Council has already met once since its formation and has begun
working on its 2008 programme.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister said 111 Toshaos were sworn-in as
Justices of the Peace and Rural Constables, another success for the
Ministry. These Toshaos are mandated with the responsibility of
protecting the interest of Amerindians in the country and will give
support to the Council.
“We have also had the formulation of the draft rules at the meeting and
the Toshaos have started to look at the ones that are applicable to
their communities”, Minister Rodrigues noted.
The Ministry was also able to make significant progress in the issuance
of birth certificates for the year, a collaborative effort between the
Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Home Affairs.
It was noted that this process has become much more important now since
house-to-house registration will be taking place shortly. However,
there are some persons who did not register in Regions One, Seven,
Eight and Nine. There will be another round of the registration
process in the communities by the Community Development Officers (CDOs)
so that persons can receive their birth certificates.
Minister Rodrigues noted that more than 13, 000 birth certificates were
issued for the past two to three years despite the challenges faced.
Suspect held in illegal Corentyne airstrip probe
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56536003
Suspect held in illegal Corentyne airstrip probe
SN, Sunday, December 30th 2007
As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip in the Corentyne
area, which was discovered by the army two weeks ago, police on Friday
arrested a suspect and he is currently being questioned.
In a release yesterday, police said they have managed to identify and
locate the suspect who is believed to have transported the bulldozer to
the area.
The investigations heated up when police on Friday issued a wanted
bulletin for 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram, a Crabwood Creek
businessman who is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on
the airfield along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, who is also known as 'Francis', is said to be the
owner of a logging concession in the Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area.
Police said the businessman's last known address was Lot 72 Crabwood
Creek, Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 ft 5 ins, of medium build
and fair in complexion. Up to yesterday there was no word on the
whereabouts of the businessman and a police source said that they are
still looking for him.
Anyone with information that may lead to the man's arrest is asked to
contact police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-6978, 225-8196,
225-3650, 226-1326, 225-7625 or 911 or the nearest police station.
Sources in the Crabwood Creek area have told Stabroek News that in
addition to Maniram, five other businessmen on the Corentyne are
reportedly linked to the illegal airstrip which was set up to traffic
cocaine and conduct other illicit trade. Additionally, a source said
that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown are also linked to
the strip.
The Guyana Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the
burnt-out aircraft - a Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop -
along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a bulldozer
three weeks ago. The military had said the airstrip was constructed to
facilitate the transshipment of narcotics and other illegal activities.
The airfield was destroyed after a GDF pilot spotted it during a
routine flight in the area.
When the airfield was seized the burnt-out aircraft appeared to have
been severely damaged after attempting to take off. The airstrip, some
3,600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle
runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip,
the GDF conducted patrols and discovered a 25-ft trail that led for
some two miles to the Corentyne River. Questions have been raised about
the quality of the surveillance in that area considering the amount of
clearing that had been done and the apparent local collusion.
Suspect held in illegal Corentyne airstrip probe
SN, Sunday, December 30th 2007
As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip in the Corentyne
area, which was discovered by the army two weeks ago, police on Friday
arrested a suspect and he is currently being questioned.
In a release yesterday, police said they have managed to identify and
locate the suspect who is believed to have transported the bulldozer to
the area.
The investigations heated up when police on Friday issued a wanted
bulletin for 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram, a Crabwood Creek
businessman who is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on
the airfield along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, who is also known as 'Francis', is said to be the
owner of a logging concession in the Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area.
Police said the businessman's last known address was Lot 72 Crabwood
Creek, Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 ft 5 ins, of medium build
and fair in complexion. Up to yesterday there was no word on the
whereabouts of the businessman and a police source said that they are
still looking for him.
Anyone with information that may lead to the man's arrest is asked to
contact police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-6978, 225-8196,
225-3650, 226-1326, 225-7625 or 911 or the nearest police station.
Sources in the Crabwood Creek area have told Stabroek News that in
addition to Maniram, five other businessmen on the Corentyne are
reportedly linked to the illegal airstrip which was set up to traffic
cocaine and conduct other illicit trade. Additionally, a source said
that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown are also linked to
the strip.
The Guyana Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the
burnt-out aircraft - a Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop -
along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a bulldozer
three weeks ago. The military had said the airstrip was constructed to
facilitate the transshipment of narcotics and other illegal activities.
The airfield was destroyed after a GDF pilot spotted it during a
routine flight in the area.
When the airfield was seized the burnt-out aircraft appeared to have
been severely damaged after attempting to take off. The airstrip, some
3,600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle
runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip,
the GDF conducted patrols and discovered a 25-ft trail that led for
some two miles to the Corentyne River. Questions have been raised about
the quality of the surveillance in that area considering the amount of
clearing that had been done and the apparent local collusion.
Police hunting businessman in airstrip case
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56535937
Police hunting businessman in airstrip case
SN, Saturday, December 29th 2007
As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip which was
discovered by the army two weeks ago in the Corentyne area, police
yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for a Crabwood Creek businessman who
is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on the airfield
along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram also known as
'Francis', is said to be the owner of a logging concession in the
Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area. Police in a wanted bulletin said that
the businessman's last known address is Lot 72 Crabwood Creek,
Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 feet 5 inches, of medium build and
fair in complexion. Anyone with information that may lead to the man's
arrest is asked to contact police on telephone numbers 225-6411,
226-6978, 225-8196, 225-3650, 226-1326, 225-7625 or 911 or the nearest
police station.
Stabroek News made efforts to contact the businessman's relatives
yesterday to no avail. Sources in the Crabwood Creek area said that in
addition to Maniram five other businessmen on the Corentyne are
reportedly linked to the illegal airstrip which was set up to traffic
cocaine and conduct other illicit trade. Additionally, the source said
that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown area are also linked
to the strip.
Transport Minister, Robeson Benn on Thursday received a copy of the
report from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on its
investigation into the torched aircraft. He however said that there
were no immediate clues as to where the plane came from and who owns
it. Benn told Stabroek News that while there was no clear-cut
information as to the origin and ownership of the aircraft, there were
enough clues for the GCAA to go out and investigate. He said that the
GCAA would be making contact with its counterparts overseas to verify
the origin of the Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop
aircraft which carried a Venezuelan flag when it was found. The Guyana
Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the burnt-out
aircraft, along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a
bulldozer three weeks ago. The military had said that the airstrip was
constructed to facilitate the transshipment of narcotics and other
illegal activities. The airfield was destroyed after a GDF pilot
spotted it during a routine flight in the area.
When the airfield was seized the burnt-out aircraft appeared to have
been severely damaged after attempting to take off. The airstrip, some
3600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle
runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip
GDF troops conducted patrols and discovered a 25-ft trail that led for
some two miles to the Corentyne River. Questions have been raised about
the quality of the surveillance in that area considering the amount of
clearing that had been done and the apparent local collusion.
Police hunting businessman in airstrip case
SN, Saturday, December 29th 2007
As investigations continue into the illegal airstrip which was
discovered by the army two weeks ago in the Corentyne area, police
yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for a Crabwood Creek businessman who
is allegedly connected to a bulldozer that was found on the airfield
along with a burnt aircraft.
The businessman, 35-year-old Mool Persaud Maniram also known as
'Francis', is said to be the owner of a logging concession in the
Crabwood Creek, Corentyne area. Police in a wanted bulletin said that
the businessman's last known address is Lot 72 Crabwood Creek,
Corentyne Berbice and he is about 5 feet 5 inches, of medium build and
fair in complexion. Anyone with information that may lead to the man's
arrest is asked to contact police on telephone numbers 225-6411,
226-6978, 225-8196, 225-3650, 226-1326, 225-7625 or 911 or the nearest
police station.
Stabroek News made efforts to contact the businessman's relatives
yesterday to no avail. Sources in the Crabwood Creek area said that in
addition to Maniram five other businessmen on the Corentyne are
reportedly linked to the illegal airstrip which was set up to traffic
cocaine and conduct other illicit trade. Additionally, the source said
that at least two businessmen based in Georgetown area are also linked
to the strip.
Transport Minister, Robeson Benn on Thursday received a copy of the
report from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on its
investigation into the torched aircraft. He however said that there
were no immediate clues as to where the plane came from and who owns
it. Benn told Stabroek News that while there was no clear-cut
information as to the origin and ownership of the aircraft, there were
enough clues for the GCAA to go out and investigate. He said that the
GCAA would be making contact with its counterparts overseas to verify
the origin of the Czech Republic-manufactured Let 410 turboprop
aircraft which carried a Venezuelan flag when it was found. The Guyana
Defence Force had seized the illegal airstrip with the burnt-out
aircraft, along with a still-smouldering all-terrain vehicle and a
bulldozer three weeks ago. The military had said that the airstrip was
constructed to facilitate the transshipment of narcotics and other
illegal activities. The airfield was destroyed after a GDF pilot
spotted it during a routine flight in the area.
When the airfield was seized the burnt-out aircraft appeared to have
been severely damaged after attempting to take off. The airstrip, some
3600 feet in length and 375 feet in width was longer than the Ogle
runway and wider than the Timehri runway. After seizing the airstrip
GDF troops conducted patrols and discovered a 25-ft trail that led for
some two miles to the Corentyne River. Questions have been raised about
the quality of the surveillance in that area considering the amount of
clearing that had been done and the apparent local collusion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Please Email Comments to guyanaforestryblog@gmail.com